Nectarine tree denominated ‘Summer Lion IV’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree which is somewhat similar to the ‘Summer Lion II’ nectarine tree but from which it is distinguished by producing fruit which are mature for harvesting and shipment approximately seven (7) days after ‘Summer Lion II’ fruit in the San Joaquin Valley of central California and wherein the fruit is of high quality and good flavor with dark red coloration over most of the fruit surface.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persicavar. nectarine.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarinetree, Prunus persica var nectarina, which will hereinafter bedenominated varietally as the ‘Summer Lion IV’ nectarine tree, and, moreparticularly, to a nectarine tree which produces fruit which is maturefor commercial harvesting and shipment approximately July 15^(th)through July 30^(th), or about one week after ‘Summer Lion II’ nectarinetree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,544), in the San Joaquin Valley of centralCalifornia. The subject new variety hereof has, in summary, fruit whichis large in size with a moderately red and dark red blush color and ayellow-orange flesh color.

The discovery and development of new plant varieties is a daunting task.Nonetheless, these efforts take place in many areas of the world. Themotivation for such efforts is both to assist mankind in the improvementof the varieties in a multitude of respects, as well as to achieverewarding commercialization thereof. These activities have beenparticularly focused in the San Joaquin Valley of central Californiawhere growing conditions are quite favorable. As a consequence of theseand other factors, a multitude of individuals, business entities,research institutions, universities and others have engaged in suchresearch and development. The process is difficult, time consuming andexpensive. As a consequence, these efforts are directed to the recoveryof costs and, more typically, significant financial reward throughcommercialization. However, it is very difficult to select varietieswhich may achieve commercial success.

The new variety of nectarine tree of the present invention is believedby the inventors to be a promising candidate in a number of significantrespects, as will hereinafter be set forth in greater detail.

ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present variety of nectarine tree hereof was discovered by theinventors in their orchard located near Selma in the San Joaquin Valleyof central California. The inventors discovered the variety as a newlyfound seedling in the spring of 2001, the result of cross pollinationbetween the ‘June Lion’ nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,792) and‘Summer Lion II’ nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,544). In thespring of 2001 the new variety of nectarine tree had budwood selectedfrom the subject nectarine tree which was then grafted on Nemaguardrootstock planted in their test block in a ‘Summer Lion II’ nectarineorchard. The inventors have observed the asexually reproduced growth andfruit of the new variety and have found that, in all respects, theresulting progeny are identical to that of the original tree of the newvariety.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The nectarine tree of the new variety is characterized by producing afruit which is ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment approximatelyJuly 15^(th) through July 30^(th) in the San Joaquin Valley of centralCalifornia. This is about seven (7) days later than ‘Summer Lion II’nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,544). The new variety of thepresent invention is distinguished from its parent trees primarily inthe date of ripening, by being more intensely colored and by havingslightly smaller fruit. The new variety of the present invention is mostclosely similar to the ‘Summer Lion II’ nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 6,544), but is distinguished therefrom in the aforementionedrespects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing is a color photograph displaying representative portions ofthe new variety of nectarine tree hereof with the fruit shown on theupper left first in a bottom plan view of the apex end thereof, a secondshown in a top plan view exposing the base thereof, a third in a sideelevation and a forth in the central right of the photograph sectionedand laid open to display in one section, the stone in place in itsnatural position in the pit well and the flesh thereof and, in the othersection, the pit well with the stone thereof removed and the flesh ofthe fruit; a representative stone; and above and below representativefoliage, all of the new variety of nectarine tree of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the botanical details of the new varietyof nectarine tree, the following has been observed under the ecologicalconditions prevailing at the orchard of origin in an experimental blocknear Selma, Calif. in the San Joaquin Valley of central California, inthe United States of America. All major color code designations are byreference to the Dictionary of Color, by Maerz and Paul, First Edition,1930. Common color names are also occasionally employed.

TREE

-   Generally:    -   -   Size.—Approximately 365.76 cm (12 feet) to 426.72 cm (14            feet) high with a spreading width of the branches of 304.8            cm (10 feet) to 396.24 cm (13 feet).        -   Vigor.—Very good with new growth of 91.44 cm (3 feet) in            length.        -   Chilling requirements.—Normal for nectarine trees in the San            Joaquin Valley of central California.        -   Figure.—Upright and spreading.        -   Productivity.—Very good to excellent for 5^(th) leaf.        -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—58.42 cm (23 inches) in circumference at 30.48 cm (12            inches) above the ground.        -   Surface texture.—Rough.        -   Color.—Pl.8 49 Rembrandt.        -   Lenticels.—Shape — Lenticular. Numbers — Abundant on trunk            surface. Size — Length — Approximately 0.31 cm (0.12 inch).            Width — Approximately 0.1 cm (0.04 inch).-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—25.4 cm (10 inches), 33.02 cm (13 inches) above            branch, angle of scaffold branches approximately 60°.        -   Surface texture.—Mature — Moderately smooth. Immature —            Smooth.        -   Color.—Mature branches — Pl.8 J8 Java Brown to Pl.8 J11            Montella Tuscany. Immature branches — Pl.18 L8 Eve gr.        -   Lenticels.—Number — Many. Size — Approximately 0.31 cm (0.12            inch) long.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Length — 13.69 cm (5.39 inches) to 17.09 cm (6.73            inches). Width — 3.99 cm (1.57 inches) to 4.7 cm (1.85            inches).        -   Shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Color.—Upwardly Disposed Surface — Pl.22 L10 Brunswick            Green. Downwardly Disposed Surface — Pl.20 K6 Piquant gr.        -   Marginal form.—Crenate.        -   Leaf mid vein.—Thickness — 0.1 cm (0.04 inch) to 2.01 cm            (0.79 inch). Color — Pl.17 K5 Pale green.        -   Leaf margin.—Slightly undulate.        -   Glandular characteristics.—Shape — Reniform — from 1-3 at            base or leaves alternate, usually two. Size — 0.1 cm (0.04            inch) to 0.15 cm (0.06 inch). Position — At or near base of            leaf. Pattern — Alternate. Color — Pl.8 L7 Carbuncle.        -   Petiole.—Length — 0.81 cm (0.32 inch) to 0.99 cm (0.39            inch). Thickness — 0.2 cm (0.079 inch). Color — Pl.19 G6            Pistachio gr.        -   Stipules.—On younger growing tips — Shape — Linear. Size —            Approximately 0.41 cm (0.16 inches). Color — Pl.19 A67            Seacrest becoming darker Pl.7 J8 Domingo and doubling with            age.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—Pubescent. Shape — Conic. Size — Length — 0.71            cm (0.28 inch) to 0.79 cm (0.31 inch). Width — 0.71 cm (0.28            inch).        -   Calyx.—5 sepals with pubescent surface — veined. Color —            Pl.55 L12 Vineyard Oporto+.        -   Flowers.—Date of bloom — Mar. 3, 2006, 50 to 75%. Size —            Large when fully opened. Diameter — 3.4 cm (1.34 inch) to            4.32 cm (1.7 inch).        -   Bloom quantity.—Essentially on new growth — moderate, one to            two blooms in cluster.        -   Petals.—Number — 5. Size — Generally large. Length — 1.7 cm            (0.67 inch) to 2.01 cm (0.79 inch). Width — 1.6 cm (0.63            inch) to 1.83 cm (0.72 inch). Form — Broadly ovate with            undulated margin. Color — Pl.1 D1 light pink to Pl.2 I1            light pink to Pl.1 I1 at base of petal at maturity.        -   Claws.—Short and truncate.        -   Pedicel.—Size — Length — short — 0.1 cm (0.04 inch). Width —            0.2 cm (0.079 inch).        -   Sepals.—Number — 5. Color — Pl.55 L8 Rubient. Size — Length            — 0.79 cm (0.31 inch). Width — 0.61 cm (0.24 inch).        -   Stamens.—Number — Numerous, 28 to 34. Size — Length — 0.99            cm (0.39 inch) to 1.4 cm (0.55 inch).        -   Filament.—Color — Pl.1 C1 to Pl.1 I1.        -   Anthers.—Shape — Somewhat rounded. Color — Pl.7 H11            Casserole Brown, Gingerspice — Eskimo+.        -   Pistil.—Size — From 0.51 cm (0.2 inch) to 1.19 cm (0.47            inch). Color — Pale yellow-green.        -   Ovary.—Color — Pl.17 G8 Arcadian gr.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment    approximately July 15^(th) through 30^(th) in the San Joaquin Valley    of central California.    -   -   Size.—Large. Diameters in the Axial Plane — From 6.81 cm            (2.68 inch) to 7.8 cm (3.07 inch). Transverse in the Suture            Plane — 7.21 cm (2.84 inch) to 8.26 cm (3.25 inch).            Transverse at Right Angles to Suture Plane — 6.5 cm (2.56            inch) to 7.01 cm (2.76 inch).        -   Form.—Uniformity — Good. Symmetrical or asymmetrical —            Symmetrical. Suture — From apex to base — Visible and            moderate. Ventral Surface — Smooth.        -   Stem cavity.—Shape — ovate. Size — Width — 0.99 cm (0.39            inch) to 1.5 cm (0.59 inch). Depth — 1.09 cm (0.43 inch) to            1.3 cm (0.51 inch). Length — 2 cm (0.79 inch) to 2.31 cm            (0.91 inch).        -   Stem.—Size — Short — 0.61 cm (0.24 inch) to 1.09 cm (0.43            inch). Caliper — 0.46 cm (0.18 inch) to 0.56 cm (0.22 inch).        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Pistil point.—Oblique.-   Skin/flesh:    -   -   Thickness.—Normal for nectarines.        -   Texture.—Firm, glabrous.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.        -   Color.—Blush Color — From Pl.5 L11 Brickdust to Pl.55 J12            Dahlia pr. Ground Color — Pl.9 K5 Apricot Y. Flesh Color —            Pl.9 J5 Jonquil throughout from skin to the pit cavity with            red flecking Pl.4 L10 Hollyberry. Color of Surface Pit            Cavity — Pl.4 L10 Hollyberry with a number of red fibers on            the pit cavity well. Color of Pit Well — Pl.4 L10            Hollyberry.        -   Juice production.—Moderate.        -   Flavor.—Very good.        -   Aroma.—Very aromatic.        -   Texture.—Firm.        -   Fibers.—Numbers — Few.        -   Ripening.—Evenly.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.-   Stone:    -   -   Free or cling.—Freestone.        -   Fibers.—Numbers — Few. Length — 0.99 cm (0.39 inch) to 1.5            cm (0.59 inch).        -   Size.—Length — 3.61 cm (1.42 inch) to 4.19 cm (1.65 inch).            Width — 3 cm (1.18 inch) to 3.2 cm (1.26 inch). Thickness —            2.11 cm (0.83 inch) to 2.49 cm (0.98 inch).        -   Form.—From ovate to obovate.        -   Apex shape.—Acute with a sharp tip.        -   Color.—Dry — Pl.55 J12 Dahlia Pr.        -   Base shape.—Flat with slanted sides.        -   Hilum.—Ovate with heavy collar. Length — 0.61 cm (0.24 inch)            to 0.79 cm (0.31 inch).        -   Ridges.—Apical End — More heavily apparent. Dorsal Edge —            Tightly grooved. Ventral Edge — Wider.        -   Tendency to split.—None observed.-   Use: Fresh market.-   Keeping and shipping quality: Very good.-   Resistance to disease: None known.-   Harvesting and shipping: July 15^(th) through July 30^(th).-   Has the new variety been sold: No.-   Has the new variety been publicly used or exhibited: No.-   Have any reproducible parts of the plant been given away: No.

Although the new and distinct variety of nectarine tree possesses thedescribed characteristics noted above as a result of the growingconditions prevailing near Selma in the central San Joaquin Valley ofCalifornia, it is to be understood that variations of the usualmagnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions,irrigation, fertilization, pruning, pest control, climatic variationsand the like are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree substantially asillustrated and described which is somewhat remotely similar to the‘Summer Lion II’ nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,544), but fromwhich it is distinguished by producing fruit which are mature forcommercial harvesting and shipment approximately July 15^(th) throughJuly 30^(th), or about seven days after the ‘Summer Lion II’ nectarinetree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,544), in the San Joaquin Valley of centralCalifornia and which has a distinct red coloration over its skinsurface.